Day 3 – 24MX Alestrem Hard Enduro 2026 FIM Hard Enduro World Championship Round 1
Hey race fans! It’s your girl Paige Turner reporting live from the stunning Pôle Mécanique Alès Cévennes in Saint-Martin-de-Valgalgues, France, and what a way to wrap up an unforgettable opening round!
Day 3 brought the big one — the 24MX Alestrem Main Race — and it turned into an absolute epic battle. Riders faced a brutally demanding hard enduro course packed with rocky climbs, technical sections, and non-stop challenges. The drama kicked into overdrive when torrential rain hit, turning the track into a slippery, muddy monster and forcing officials to shorten the race by one lap. Conditions changed fast, rewarding smart riding, tireless focus, and pure determination.
When the flag finally dropped on a chaotic but thrilling day, Manuel Lettenbichler on the KTM emerged victorious! The reigning champion controlled much of the race early on, stayed composed through the worsening weather, and took the win in 3:40:50. Billy Bolt on the Husqvarna pushed him every step of the way, finishing a hard-fought second just 48 seconds behind. Teodor Kabakchiev on the Sherco claimed third, over six minutes back, in a strong ride that showed real grit.
This main event delivered everything we love about hard enduro — raw physical battles, ever-changing conditions, and riders digging deep when it mattered most. Lettenbichler’s victory caps off a solid weekend after his razor-thin Xtrem Test win on Friday, while Bolt’s runner-up result (combined with his Prologue dominance) sees him leave France at the top of the early championship standings.